Ofcom receives nearly 10,000 complaints over Channel 4 “ADHD Myth” documentary

Ofcom has confirmed that it received 9,656 complaints over a documentary aired on Channel 4 entitled “The Great ADHD Myth?”. The documentary was a Minnow Films production for Channel 4.

It features psychiatrist Max Pemberton and attempts to determine whether or not an ADHD diagnosis is warranted for a primary school aged boy struggling with school, as well as questioning if the condition even exists at all. “It is certainly not a medical condition as far as I’m concerned” said one of the medical experts on the programme.

The deeply unpopular programme has caused uproar in the neurodiverse community and others. Critics have accused the programme makers of biased and one sided coverage. Charity ADHD UK was one such organisation that has submitted a complaint, stating: “The programme's own end credits told you what its 60 minutes wouldn't: the boy at its centre went back on his medication, and his schoolwork improved. Their experiment disproved their conclusion. They aired their version anyway. We have already complained to Ofcom.”

Channel 4 has defended the programme citing public interest and the need and freedom to debate the issue.